If you’ve ever been out walking along the beach, you know there’s nothing worse than coming across a bunch of discarded beer cans. Why would someone ruin a beautiful scene with a bunch of trash?
Luckily the people of Darwin, Australia, have a better use for their empties. Once a year they’ve been sticking them together to make boats, which they then race around in the ocean.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZkHak5CZas
It’s called the Darwin Beer Can Regatta, and it’s been taking place since 1974. Back then, the crafts were powered by outboard motors but, in the 1980s, beer companies started to switch from steel to aluminum cans, and the lighter-weight cans would crumple under the force. Now all the boats are man powered, and it’s clear people are putting some serious work into these things.
If you’re thinking about entering yourself next year, make sure you obey the 10 “Can-mandments” listed on the event’s official web site:
- Thou shalt enter the event in the right spirit.
- Thou shalt build the craft of cans.
- The craft shall float by cans alone.
- Thou shalt not drown.
- Thou shalt not take the name of the craft in vain: Any craft bearing signs or lettering that may be offensive will be barred.
- Thou shalt not drift from the straight and narrow and end up at Mandorah.
- Thou shalt not protest too much.
- Thou shall honor thy Committee.
- Thou shalt not commit adultery—nothing really to do with the Regatta, but it gives us an air of responsibility and respect.
- Thou shalt go back and read the first can-mandment again.
Oh, and also you can’t bring your own alcohol. If you want a beer can, with actual beer in it, you’ll have to buy that after you get to the festival.
H/T Mashable
